The Artic Blast

The big freeze continues not just in London but for the first time in living memory, completely covers the United Kingdom

Some parts of the country hit an overnight low of minus 21.2 degrees Celcius, making it just half a degree warmer than the temperature yesterday in the South Pole. But it’s not simply the cold snap that is causing the problems but the duration of it. While in London the snow melted some time just after Christmas in the North and in particular, my friends in Leeds, the snow has never left. The fresh foot of snow they had on Wednesday left their entire housing development cut off from the world.

For some odd reason this land that once had an empire so vast that the sun never set in one of its outposts, a land that conquered so many, can’t seem to cope whenever the weather deviates from anything other than normal. The sunshine’s, the leaves drop, the rain falls, you name it, any excuse the trains stop running. What kind of an excuse is “the wrong sort of leaves on the line”? Did we not have leaves prior to the train companies privatisation? Personally I struggled to get home from the city last night. Our fair capital and daytime home to some 20 Million people was virtually cut off from the home counties as the trains decided they were stopping service at 755PM. At 635PM I faced a train so crowded at Waterloo that a good number of people could not even board it. The next service was indicated as being in 30 minutes time. Usually these trains run every 2 to 3 minutes.

Meanwhile while the majority of the main A Roads have been kept clear of ice by the councils constantly gritting the roads, the side roads and pavements that many of us have to chance our lives on in order to attempt to get to or from work, remain completely covered in what is now compacted ice & snow meaning that even with the firmest of walking boots you slide and slip like an episode of Dancing on ice.
It wouldn’t seem so bad if we hadn’t had a warning just last February when snowfall closed virtually the whole of London for a day. We were warned we need more road clearing equipment. But naturally the local councils didn’t listen. Apparently they would usually borrow gritting equipment from a neighbouring council whenever a cold snap hit. Unfortunately, with the entire country covered in a blanket of snow there was no equipment to spare. We hear on the news of grit supplies running out and the only two places it comes from in the UK being virtually cut off by the conditions.

My boss has been cut off with his local train service not running since Tuesday. They say the cost of missed work is costing the country in excess of 600 Million pounds a day. Meanwhile the Met Office are saying the icy conditions look set to continue for the forthcoming 10 days. With people cut off and supplies diminishing the Salt Gate Saga continues at supermarkets up and down the land. Bread, Milk, Eggs and Salt completely out of stock and shelves empty looking like a scene from Zimbabwe during its worst of times a few years ago. Quite simply the farmers are so snowed in they can’t get their supplies to the lorries to in turn deliver to the nations shops. People at work may have made fun of my supply of canned foods in the larder, but at the end of the day my canned goods stay good no matter the condition of the roads, but as I open my last 4 pints of milk for my morning coffee I had to but wonder, will I be drinking white coffee come Monday? Meanwhile, we battle down the hatches, add extra layers, nudge up the thermostat to keep warm and most of all relish in the fact the weather is so unusual it gives the whole land an excuse to enjoy its favourite obsession, no not Celebrity Big Brother but its obsession with talking about the weather.

Christmas & New Year 2009

I can't believe that the entire Christmas season has been and gone without me even so much as having a chance to write of my doings.

So Christmas began with our Annual Gay Mens Chorus Concert that I spend a splendiferous evening with my girls, Gill, Emily & lisa every year as the kick off for the Christmas celebrations. This year we were joined by Dusan (AKA Auntie Susan) and Mark (AKA Leather Queen). The following week was our staff Christmas Party. Someone decided it would be a good idea to hold it on a Tuesday evening. Needless to say I left at a reasonable hour, especially as we launched our new software for the entire side of of the business I am responsible. There were more than a few looking worse for wear the following day.

The week after was our HR Christmas event. This year was the show, A Christmas Carol, staring Norman Pace. Nice and festive and a fun time had by all. Amazingly, as Ian and I left to take the tube home bound we bumped into the lovely Emily Mews Saint Mews Cadmore' court.

Finally we had my teams Christmas meal in Soho the Tuesday before Christmas. It was my time to organise so I booked table at Balans of Soho and a local bar that served real Ale. The boys all seemed to enjoy it and I thought it would be good to show them a slice of my life and a place I love to go dine.

Christmas Eve we closed up fairly early. The Markets closing at 1230 meant we could pack up a few hours early and went for a team meal in Sheppards Market at Soffra. My boss then suggested we go for a drink at a local bar and by the time we cleared our desks and made our way to meet others from work in another local I was a little fluffy to say the least.

By 1730 I had to be making tracks and heading to Kings Cross to meet Dusan and collect our train tickets to Leeds. I've booked online dozens of times but never before had a problem collecting tickets. The machine simply wouldnt recognise my booking so I had to queue for the desk which was poorly staffed being 5PM on Chrismas Eve. By the time i got the tickets I barely had time to nip to the Off Liscense and buy some wine for the Journey as Dusan was calling asking me where I was. With just 5 minutes till the trains departure he made it to the train and met me onboard and we settled into the journey to Leeds by tucking into the Vin Rouge and sharing a mince pie with the couple sat next to us who were sipping Champagne. Hmmm - now why didnt we bring Champagne?

Arrived in Leeds around 9PM and suddered with the cold as we made our way into a taxi for the final journey to Alex & Mikeys. Unlike London, the big Freeze had hit later and there were a good 7 inches of snow on the ground all around, so much so that the driver refused to take us the final 200 yards saying he would get stuck on the ice. Hello - how am I sposed to drag hand luggage and a suitcase in these shoes? Especially on ice!

We sat up and sipped Champagne (Champagne for Lulu) with Alex & Mikey, catching up for the evening. Little Jack, their dog was so pleased to see me again. Jumping up and down like crazy.

Christmas morning we woke and the house seemed unseasonably cold. Alex said the heating had broken down but they had called the 24/7 breakdown. We all sat around in the living room as they had an electric fire keeping the freeze off.

Alex naturally did us proud with his Christmas Luncheon. Roast Goose, Potatoes, Seasonal Vegtables, Red Cabbage, Pigs in Blankets etc. We couldnt even finish our plates full, so filling was the food, as we sat and dinner watching the blanket of snow outside as the sun beamed down and we were blessed with a day time time moon.

Many thanks to Alex & Mikey for a fab Christmas break.

It was back to work for a few days then off for New Years. This year Dusan and I sat home and watched the fireworks and sipped champagne rather than facing the bracing cold that seems to have lasted forever this year.

Finally today came down the tree and decorations and made a slow cooked meal of chicken casserole. Yummmy.

Tis the end of the season finally but good to get back into a routine and back to gym etc.

Happy New Year everyone! X